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ICROC PUTER
DIGEST
Copyright © 1975 by
Microcomputer Associates Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.
Volume 2, Number 3
September, 1975
MAl
16-BIT PANAFACOM MICROPROCESSOR
THE JOLT FROM
The latest entrant in the microprocessor
arena, Panafacom Ltd. of Tokyo Japan, has unveiled a l6-bit microprocessor chip set fully
supported by a series of microcomputer cards
and a resident hardware development system.
The PFL-16A is a three chip LSI microcomputer designed to offer users functions matching those of a minicomputer in the form of a
system component.
(cont'd on page 2)
Microcomputer Associates Inc. has announced
the world's lowest cost microcomputer system
yet available. The system is offered in kit
form as well as assembled. The heart of the
JOLT system is MOS Technology's 6502 8-bit
microprocessor.
The outstanding feature of the system is a
ROM mask programmed DEbug-MONitor (DEMON) which
provides instant software to the user after
completion of the kit.
DEMON includes a unique feature found in no
o~her microcomputer system, that is, a selfadapting interface to any terminal speed from
10 to 30 cps. A TTY 20 rnA current loop as well
as an EIA interface is standard with the kit.
Other DEMON features include display-alter
CPU registers, display-alter memory, read/
write hex formatted data, read/write BNPF formatted data, unlimited breakpoint capability,
high-speed 8-bit parallel input option and
user callable DEMON I/O subroutines.
(cont'd on page 2)
8080 IN CIRCUIT EMULATOR
Ramtek Corp. has announced an In Circuit
Emulator for the 8080 microprocessor. The MM
80 (nicknamed the ICEBOX) directly replaces
the 8080 microprocessor in the user's system
and allows the designer to examine, alter and
control the 8080 system. ICEBOX is a real
8080 to the user's system and requires no
special design considerations.
The MM 80 was designed to provide the in
circuit emulation ability in a basic system.
(cont'd on page 3)
Low COST
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
INTERSIL reduces prices on their IM6l00 microprocessor and memories. Story on page 7.
INTEL introduces two high-speed versions of
their 8080 CPU. Story on page 7.
SPECIAL REPORT on Europe's microprocessor activities. Story on page 18.
COURSES---Upcoming microcomputer courses for
October, November and December on page 15.
WYLE DISTRIBUTORS adds Intel franchise to
their current line of microcomputers. Story
on page 13.
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
pP ENTERS MARKET
National Semiconductor has formally announced their SCAMP microprocessor, a singlechip 8-bit p-channel MOS device priced around
$15.
SCAMP (acronym for Simple to use Cost effective Application MicroProcessing) can be
used alone or in a multiprocessor configuration. National will be backing the microprocessor with a wide array of software and software tooling support. (MD, August 1975)
With only two chips, the microprocessor and
any standard memory, a user can address up to
4K bytes of memory to implement the control
(cont'd on page 4)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SPECIAL FEATURES
Page
16-Bit Panafacom Microprocessor ••...•. 1
8080 In Circuit Emulator ..•.••..•...•. 1
The JOLT From MAl •••.•.••.•.••.....•.. 1
Low Cost uP Enters Market ....••..••... 1
Electronic Warfare ........•.••......•• 5
Micros Micros--WESCON Theme •...•.....• 6
Microcomputer Education
6
TECHNOLOGY
GI IM1600 Now Available
7
Rockwell Announces 2-Chip uP ...•..•... 7
NEC To "Truly" Second Source 8080 .•... 7
Intel's Higher-Speed 8080 uP .•.•..••.. 7
Intersil Drops uP Prices •...•••••..... 7
MICROCOMPUTER-BASED PRODUCTS
4-Bit Educational Microcomputer •...... 8
Cramer To Offer uC Kits •••...•.•..•... 8
uC Spectrum Analyzer ..•.•...•.•....•.. 8
Upgradable POS System ...•.••.......•.. 9
Microcomputer Serial Printer ...•..••.. 9
New Version Of Model 340 Terminal .•••• 9
Intelligent Floppy Disc ....•.•....•.•. 10
Pro-Log Supporting M6800 & F8 .•.•.••.. 10
uC-Controlled Wiring Analyzer ••...•.•. 10
MEMORIES/PERIPHERALS
FPLA Programmer Now Available •.••.••.• 11
Flexible Disc System For MicroPac .••.• 11
6800 Relocatable Macroassembler .•.••.. 11
Low Cost CMOS Static RAM ••..•••••.••.. 11
Fairchild Shipping 4K RAMs ............ 11
uC Tape Storage System .......••••.••.• 12
New lK Schottky RAM ••••.•....•..•.•... 12
Microprocessor Test System •...•.•.•... 12
Timer, Counter & Generator ...•..•.••.• 12
PEOPLE, LITERATURE AND EVENTS
SRI To Study Industrial uC ..••••..•... 13
Wyle Gains Intel uC Franchise ••...•••• 13
Computer Printer Analysis .••..•...•.•. 13
European uC Study Available ••••••.•.•• 13
People On The Move .••.•.•.•.••....•••• 14
Recent Literature .•..•••..••••..•.•.•. 14
EDUCATION
Microcomputer Courses, Seminars And
Conferences for Oct. thru Dec ...•..... 15
FINANCIAL
Digital Controls In Process Industry •• 17
cI~;
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
2
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
MICROCOMPUTER SPOTLIGHT
Page
European Microprocessor Activities
Italy •••....•.•.•.•.••..••....•••.•• 18
Germany .•.....•...••'................ 18
Belgium •.....••..••••••.•....•..•..• 19
Spain ...•.•....•••.••••....••..••.•• 20
Sweden •.•..••••••..••.••..•...•..••. 20
The Netherlands .•...••••.••...•••.•• 21
COMPANY ADDRESSES FOR THIS ISSUE .•...... 22
MICROCOMPUTER STUDIES AVAILABLE ......... 22
MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS/SERVICES ...•..... 23
-rs-
SPECIAL FEATURES:
THE JOLT
FROM
MAl
(from page 1)
The basic CPU card coritains the 6502 CPU,
512 bytes of user RAM, 64 bytes of interrupt
vector RAM, and 16 fully programmable I/O
lines. Power on reset and auto bootstrap to
the monitor are included.
The 6502 has a built-in clock generator,
thus eliminating the need for an external
clock generator. Two external interrupts
are provided to the CPU, one maskable under
software control and the other non-maskable.
Appropriate signals are brought out to a connector to allow the user to add single step
and address halt features.
Other available cards include 4K RAM, I/O
(32 lines), power supply, universal breadboard card and an accessory kit. Single
quantity kit prices are: CPU--$249; 4K RAM-$265; 1/0--$96; Power Supply--$145; Universal Card--$25; and Accessory Kit--$40. Prices
include the DEMON and all documentation. Deliveries are 10 days ARO.
16-BIT PANAFACOM MICROPROCESSOR
(from page 1)
The PFL-16A microprocessor is manufactured
using N-channel LOCOS silicon gate E/D MOS
technology. The three chip set consists of
a 16-bit parallel microprocessor and two I/O
control chips (a subchannel adapter and a
direct memory access channel controller).
The microprocessor features an extremely
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.Dq per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
3
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
efficient architecture, flexible system construction, easy-to-use I/O interface and
high throughput. Each chip is housed in a
40-pin package and is completely TTL compatible.
The microprocessor architecture consists
of seven 16-bit registers; an instruction
counter, instruction register, stack pointer,
two accumulators and two index registers.
Typical instruction execution time is 3 us
with the microprocessor operating on a twophase 2MHz 12V clock. Other features include
three level multiple interrupts, DMAcapability, automatic restart, a 33 command instruction set and six addressing modes. The addressing modes include direct, PC relative,
indirect,. PC relative indirect, index modification, and indirect index modification.
Three supplies are required: +12V, +5V and
-3V.
Software development support is available
on the Panafacom U Series industrial computers and the MACC-7/L minicomputer, or is
'
resident with the PFL-16A development system.
Moreover, various program modules residing
in the target system are offered.
Four groups of software aids have been
developed to operate on the above systems.
These categories include the self-standing
system, UMOS/D support system, UMOS/C support system and the MACC support system.
The self-standing system contains program
modules used in debugging the hardware and
software of the target system by using the
PFL-16A hardware support system. This also
includes software modules which can be incorporated into the object program.
UMOS/D is an operating system for a relatively larger configuration of Panafacom U
Series industrial computers containing an
auxiliary memory unit (magnetic disc or magnetic drum). Object programs are efficiently developed by using this support system
under the control of UMOS/D.
The UMOS/C system is a programming system
which uses Panafacom U Series to perform object program development using a comparatively small scale system not having an auxiliary
memory unit.
The MACC programmable support system utiliz~s the MACC-7f1 minicomputer to generate
object code.
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PO BOX 1167,CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
The self-standing system software aids
consist of an initial program loader, micro
monitor, I/O control subroutines, arithmetic
subroutines, linkage loader, debugging utility and ROM support utility.
The support systems software aids consist
of a cross assembler, linkage loader, simulator, source program editor, RB program utility, EB program util~ty and a debugger.
The PFL-16A microcomputer development system consists of a front panel, power supplies,
and ten standard cards for a versatile system.
The CPU card houses the microprocessor,
clock generator circuit, bus driver/receiver,
and controls the sequencing of program instructions.
The CPU Option card provides the microcomputer with DMA channel connection, memory
parity check, power fail interrupt, interval
timer, etc.
Three types of memory cards are offered:
core memory card, IC RAM card and IC PROM
card. All three memories can be freely combined.
Other cards include the console panel and
control panel card, Basic I/O control card,
communications line control card, PROM writer
card, channel connection card, DMA channel
card, and the subchannel card.
The microprocessor and microcomputer will
be displayed at WESCON in booth number 1631.
8080 IN
CIRCUIT EMULATOR
(from page 1)
The unit is lightweight (16 Ibs) and portable
for'easy use at the bench or in the field.
The base unit can be expanded with a variety
of hardware and software options to provide
a full scale floppy disc based system when a
major software effort is required.
Hardware designers can start using the MM
80 when their breadboard has working clocks.
The MM 80 will read and write memory or perform input and output without the need for a
program executing in the user's memory or
even without the user's memory working. The
MM 80 can be used to repeatedly generate memory and I/O reference signals so that breadboard systems can be debugged. The ICEBOX's
(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. ~ubscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Ap'Jlications Technicar Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
front panel provides scope probe points for
user Ml' sync, ¢l and ¢2 signals and for a
specific address reference. RAM diagnostic
programs and ROM checksum computation are also
provided.
The front panel displays the comp~ete user
processor status so that problems can be rapidly detected. The displays include interrupts pending, interrupts enabled, ready/wait,
reset, hold/hold acknowledge and halt plus
Ml, sync, ¢l and ¢2·
Software designers have available with the
ICEBOX all the features of a software simulation but none of the limitations of fake I/O.
The programmer can load his program into the
user's system RAM or program a PROM. The MM
80 monitor will trace, step or breakpoint
even when the user's program is completely in
ROM. The programmer can select any or all of
the registers to be displayed during the
tracing. The programmer can also snapshot
(trace on specific locations) to give a concise picture of program execution. The MM
80 allows interrupts to be executed in the
simulation mode as well as in the real time
mode.
Real time debug is greatly aided by the
use of the real time address comparator and
the real time instruction trace. The MM 80
maintains the addresses of the last 255 instructions executed so the programmer can now
really find out "how did I get here?"
The MM 80 console is an ASCII terminal
such as a teletype or CRT running at any
standard rate from 10 cps to 1200 cps. The
data rate is switch selectable and interface
is either RS232 or 20 mA current loop. The
ICEBOX has an additional RS232 interface for
connection to remote computers allowing the
console to be used as the terminal on a timesharing network.
The base unit prov~des the in circuit emulation ability and sells for $3,950. The MM
80 option list includes 2708 PROM programmers,
memory expansion modules and special software
packages. The MM 80 also offers a ROM resident one pass assembler for quick and easy
assembly on the basic unit.
#
clcS;
#
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PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
4
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
Low
COST
pP
ENTERS MARKET
(from page 1)
logic for electronic games, small intersection traffic signals, simple industrial systems, appliances, vending machines, simple
terminals--anything that previously made use
of sheet-metal logic.
Jumping to a four-chip system, the microprocessor, a bidirectional transceiver, an
address latch and a buffer element, the SCAMP
user can address 65K bytes of standard memory to implement complex control functions
as in credit card verification, business and
accounting machines, text-editing typewriters,
intelligent stand-alone terminals, complex
instrument/measurement systems and so on.
The chip's architecture consists of an 8bit ALU that can perform binary ADD, AND, OR,
EXCLUSIVE OR, and two-digit BCD ADD. Other
features include an 8-bit accumulator with
an 8-bit extension register for separate serial I/O operations; four l6-bit address
pointer registers usable as stack pointers
to external memory for unlimited subroutine
nesting; an 8-bit status/flag register whose
contents are treatable as data or storable
in memory; a 16-bit address output register;
an 8-bit data I/O register, 8-bit instruction
register; and associated circuitry for I/O
control, instruction decoding and clock timing.
The microprocessor's instruction set consists of 46 instructions grouped into five
classifications: memory reference, transfer,
memory increment/decrement, immediate and
delay.
SCAMP is intended for low cost applications and operates from a single 10-14V power
supply, has I/O control compatibility with
standard logic, features a simple, efficient
addressing scheme and includes on-chip generation of timing and all strobes.
#
#
#
#
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(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circul~tion Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
5
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
ELECTRONIC WARFARE
(THIRD IN A THREE-PART SERIES)
By H. Dean McKay, President, AH Systems
The architectural structure of microcomputer-based electronic warfare systems consists of several intelligent subsystems under
the control of a central processor. Each EW
subsystem, such as the receiver. antenna or
the jammer, is modular and utilizes its own
LSI microcomputer controller. These controllers typically have 8- or 16-bi t word lengths,
a 200 ns to 1 us cycle time, memory address
capability of up to 64K words, and good I/O
capability.
A typical example of a multiprocessor EW
system consists of microcomput~rs being utilized as antenna controllers, receiver controllers, signal processors, power management
processors, frequency control processors and
as an overall system command controller. A
common control bus is utilized to interface
all the subsystems. Each subsystem uses machine language for its applications program,
while a higher level PL/l-type language is
used for EW systems applications.
FIGURE 1
TYPICAL
EXAMPLE OF
MULTIPROCESSOR E W
SYSTEM
The operator communicates with the system
by English commands which allow him to configure specific operational scenarios without deep technical knowledge of the system's
operation. The system allows the operator
to request the system to search a particular
frequency band, acquire a signal, dedicate a
monitoring receiver to that signal, and upon
cltI~
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
recognition of a particular pulse pattern,
jam it. While this is normally a major programming task in conventional minicomputers,
the system shown in Figure 1 performs the
task easily, while the overall system is busy
performing other functions.
FIGURE 2
___....,...,..._ •• Mon
IIIMOTE
DIRECTION
FINDING
SYSTEM
USING
MICROPROCESSOR
CONTROLLERS
Another example is that of a direction
finding (DF) system using microcomputer controllers. In the system, three DF systems
are interfaced with a microcomputer controller. An overall minicomputer is utilized as
a message switch and a most-probable-location
analyzer. The DF systems could be located
remotely either over an RF data link or a
serial telecommunications line .
. Once acquisition is determined by one of
the sites, the minicomputer commands the
other two DF sites to execute a direction
find in a gross location at a known frequency. When all three sites have acquired and
determined the most probable angle of arrival, the data is fed back to the minicomputer
and the most probable locational eclipse is
calculated. Such a system utilizes standard
off-the-shelf minicomputer and microcomputer
hardware and peripherals and allows the implementation of a very cost-effective and
highly capable direction finding system without major cost penalties.
In conclusion, microcomputers offer six
basic advantages in EW systems: (1) flexibility to configure systems; (2) speed in acquisition, signal processing and signal control;
(cont'd next page)
(4081 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Ap'Jlications Technicar Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
6
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
(3) standard hardware; (4) expandability; (5)
local processing and control; and (6) simple
implementation of complicated functions.
Most disadvantages with EW microcomputer
systems can be traced to the learning curve
of designers in utilizing the new devices.
However, once system designers become accustomed to using these devices as an integral
part of EW systems, microcomputers will be
commonplace in almost every system. Microcomputers provide program managers with the
most sophisticated hardware system possible
in a relatively short design cycle. Microcomputers also provide the military with unheard of flexibility to quickly and easily
reconfigure a system to meet the increasing
and ever-changing threats of our world today.
(Ed. Note: This article concludes MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST's series on the microcomputer's
role in electronic warfare. If you've enjoyed this series, let us know.)
MICROS MICROS--WESCON THEME
WESCON 1975, the 24th annual Western Electronic Show and Convention, will be presented
September 16-19, 1975 in Brooks Hall and
Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, CA. The
theme of both the product exposition and professional program is "Electronics in the Next
Thousand Days."
The exhibits will be open each day, Tuesday through Friday, at 9:30 a.m. The show
will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday;
at 9 p.m. on Wednesday; and at 4 p.m. on Friday.
Thirty-two half-day technical sessions
will be held in the Civic Auditorium, one
level above Brooks Hall. The sessions are
scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily
except, no afternoon sessions will be held
on Friday.
Overall, WESCON attendance by members of
the electronics industry is expected to top
25,000. Attendance for 1974 was 28,212 and
27,436 for 1973.
The WESCON Professional Schedule for microprocessors is as follows:
Sept. 16 a.m. Microcomputers--How To Get
Started. Rrn 105
Sept. 16 p.m. Microprocessor/Microcom-
cI
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 3 / September, 1975
Sept. 17 a.m.
Sept. 17 p.m.
Sept. 18 a.m.
Sept. 18 p.m.
puter Hardware & Software
Support Systems
Rrn 105
Microprocessor Applications
Rrn 105
Microcomputer Design Aids
Rm 105
High-Speed Printers for
Minis and Micro$
Rrn 104
Microprocessors in Medical
Instrumentation
Rrn 105
MICROCOMPUTER EDUCATION
By Darrell Crow
In the past few months I have been exposed
to several types of microcomputer education.
Briefly, they consisted of a five day lab and·
lecture course, an intensive four day lecture
course, a college course, and a self-learning
home study manual. In the next four months
I will relate these experiences and what can
be expected from each program.
National Semiocnductor has established
three microprocessor training centers throughout the U.S. They conduct courses consisting
of five days of lecture with hands-on experience.
In the Fundamentals course, each student
receives all documentation for the IMP-16 and
PACE microprocessors. These texts were used
in conjunction with class notes and exercises
that teach the student how to use the manufacturer's literature. Although National
microcomputers and documentation were used,
the instructors first discussed a hypothetical microprocessor and then applied the concepts to the IMP-16 and PACE systems. I was
extremely impressed by the instructors not
pushing National's line or elaborating on
any deficiencies of other microprocessors.
This course is strictly basic, and National is, thus far, the only semiconductor firm
offering such a course. It is designed for
those who have had little or no computer experience. Course content includes Boolean
algebra, logic, number systems, conputer and
programming fundamentals, software aids, debuggers, editors, loaders, development systems and chip architecture.
Since the key to understanding microprocessors lies in the software, a considerable
(cont'd on page 23)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA l. DREISBACH,
Circul~tion Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
7
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
TECHNOLOGY:
GI IM1600 Now AVAILABLE
General Instrument Corp.'s Microelectronics Division will be offering its Series 1600
Microcomputer System to the' general public
for the first time at WESCON. The system,
based on the GI IM1600 16-bit microprocessor,
is built using the company's N-channel IonImplant Giant II process. (MD, April 1975)
Supporting the microprocessor concept is
a series of high-speed N-channel MOS-LSI
logic devices that include upward compatible
processors and standard ROM and RAM memory
circuits.
The Series 1600 incorporates a powerful
intelligent I/O interface concept with its
complement of Programmable Interface Controllers (PIC). Most of the popular industry
peripherals can be interfaced to the 1600
Series.
Compatible assembler/simulator software is
available for popular minicomputer systems
and large time sharing systems. Comprehensive subroutine libraries, diagnostics, utility programs and an easy-to use On-Line Debug Program (ODP) for direct program checkout of the 1600 system are available.
A unique feature of the Series 1600 software is the Language Generation Program (LGP)
which enables a high level language to be
developed to match each application.
Prices and delivery dates for the Series
1600 will be posted at WESCON.
ROCKWELL ANNOUNCES 2-CHIP
pP
A new two-chip microprocessor system, the
PPS-4/2, has been introduced by Rockwell International Corp. The high-speed PPS-4/2
consists of one chip with clock, CPU and 12
I/O lines and a second chip with 2K x 8 ROM,
128 x 4 RAM and 16 bidirectional I/O lines.
The PPS-4/2 is instruction and bus compatible with the Rockwell PPS-4 microprocessor so' that all 17 input/output, memory and
peripheral controller chips now provided can
be used with the 4/2.
The PPS-4/2 is $80 each for quantities up
to 99 two-chip sets and $56 for quantities of
100 to 999. Masking charges for quantities
cI
PO BOX 1167,'CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
under 1000 is $1250; for quantities of 1000
and over, masking charges are included.
Engineering samples of the PPS-4/2 will
be available this month with evaluation
boards ready for sale in October and full
production quantities by January 1976.
NEe To "TRULY" SECOND SOURCE 8080
Determined to capture a major portion of
the uC market, NEC Microcomputers Inc. is
introducing a second microprocessor and increasing their network of U.S. manufacturing
reps by 10.
The second microprocessor, slated for sale
in October, is a pin-compatible device with
Intel's 8080A 8-bit microprocessor.
The uCOM-8, currently offered by NEC, is
an independent designed software compatible
version of Intel's 8080 CPU. The new microprocessor will be a true second source device.
INTEL'S HIGHER-SPEED 8080 ~P
A higher-speed series of the popular. 8080
microprocessor is now being offered by Intel.
The 8080A-l and 8080A-2 feature an instruction cycle time of 1.3 and 1.5 us, respectively.
The 8-bit microprocessors are available
from distributors off-the-shelf in lots of 1
to 99. Large volume deliveries are scheduled
for the fourth quarter of 1975.
Intel distributors are also offering the
8080A in a 13-chip microcomputer kit for
$250. The kit includes the 8080 microprocessor', two 256 x 4 RAMs (8111); two bus drivers
(8216); a lK x 8 erasable ROM (8708); a decoder (8205); priority interrupt control unit
(8214); an 8080 clock generator (8224); 8080
system controller (8229); 8-bit I/O port
(8219); programmable USART (8251); programmable peripheral interface (8255); and an
8080 systems user's manual.
INTERSIL DROPS pP PRICES
Effective immediately, Intersil, Inc. is
reducing the price on their recently announced IM6100 microprocessor. Formerly
(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc" All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$~8.00 ~er ye~r, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLiAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Ap'Jlications Technicar Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
8
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
priced at $395, the industrial grade (-40 0 to
+85 0 C) IM6100 is now priced at $150 in 1-24
quantities.
In addition, the cost of their 1024 x 1
CMOS RAM, the IM6508, is reduced from $28 to
$17.90 in 100-999 quantities. This RAM is
designed to interface directly with the
IM6100 for use in CMOS microprocessor systems.
Ronald P. Hammer, manager of CMOS product
marketing, attributed the price reduction to
significant customer acceptance and the fact
that process yield improvements have greatly
exceeded earlier Intersil projections.
MICROCOMPUTER-BASED PRODUCTS:
4-BIT EDUCATIONAL MICROCOMPUTER
Dedicated Computer Systems has announced
a new 4-bit microcomputer designed for educational use in teaching the fundamentals of
computer design and to enable students to
develop their own computer system at a reasonable cost.
The system, DCS4-lK uses the Intel 4040
microprocessor. The minimum configuration
has 256 x 4 bits of PROM which can be expanded up to 1024 x 4. It also has 20 x 4
RAM (expandable up to 80 x 4) and a slow
shift register memory (1024 x 8) for, CRT refresh which can be used as read/write memory
by the microprocessor. The input is a small
keyboard which outputs a video waveform for
use on a standard 32 x 32 TV monitor.
Also provided is an IC socket for an external PROM unit, with suitable power supplies to enable data to be written on it.
Examples of the system's use would be the
programming of a square root function, or
the implementation of a small control system,
where the student would write his PROM to
achieve a particular system.
Tentative price for the DCS4-lK system is
$595 with deliveries 90 days ARO.
Dedicated Computer Systems is a new Canadian firm that offers consulting services in
minicomputers and microcomputers; they also
develop standard microcomputer products such
as the DCS-IK.
Future products will include an 8-bit microcomputer configured for use with a termi-
cI~;
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 3/ September, 1975
nal to give it specialized characteristics
for both the scientific and business environment. Another system will be a high-speed
arithmetic processor for use as a subsidiary
unit in a minicomputer environment to allow
high-speed calculation of specific tasks such
as vector manipulation, spectrum analysis and
formatting of data.
CRAMER To OFFER ~C KITS
A new microcomputer kit available initially in three models, has been intorudced by
Cramer Electronics Inc. Each of the kits
are priced at $495.
Developed under a special contractual agreement with Microcomputer Technique, Inc.
the specially designed kits come equipped
with either an Intel 8080, a Motorola 6800
or a Texas Instruments TMS 8080 as the CPU,
which will be followed in mid-October with
the inclusion of the AMD 9080, Mostek F8 and
the RCA COSMAC. Early in the first quarter
of '76 Cramer will introduce bipolar Cramerkits using the Intel 3001, AMD 2901, TI SBP
0400 and the Motorola 10800.
Each Cramerkit contains all the active
and passive components (except board and
power supply) necessary to build a functional microcomputer. In addition to all parts,
literature, schematic diagram and programs
recorded on a cassette tape. The complete
components and documentation package enables
a designer to design and fabricate a custom
microcomputer to suit his specific needs.
pC SPECTRUM ANALYZER
Operational ease has been greatly increased in Tektronic's new 7L5 spectrum analyzer. The analyzer's intelligence (Intel
8080 microprocessor) is used to decode control settings and process frequency as well
as reference level information for CRT readout of display parameters. Sweep time and
resolution are automatically optimized for
each span position.
The microcomputer allows pre-setting of
the analyzer's power-up conditions. When
power is turned on, the 7L5 automatically
sets the reference level to +17 dBm and sets
the frequency to zero. Thus, users are pro-
(4081 247·8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.0Q per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
9
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
vided with input attenuation to protect against high input levels and a marker to verify correct operation.
Other 7L5 features include buffer control
and a plug-in front-end module. Input buffer
control trades input attenuation for IF gain,
thereby maintaining a constant reference level while greatly increasing front-end immunity to intermodulation. The first plug-in
front-end modules are the 50-ohm Ll and the
75-ohm L2. Other units are planned for 600
ohms and 1 megohm. This unique modular concept permits the user to adapt to new measurement requirements. Each front-end module
will provide displays calibrated appropriately for the impedance in use.
Approximate cost of the spectrum analyzer
with plug-ins and mainframe is around $6,500.
UPGRADABLE POS SYSTEM
National Semiconductor Corp. has introduced a new microcomputer controlled cash
register for supermarkets which will retail
in quantity for $2500. It has all the features of a stand-alone electronic cash register, but can be upgraded to an in-store computerized checkout system.
The Datachecker has an internal IMP-16
microcomputer that handles over 140 coded
items and has a non-tamperable, non-resettable group total. In addition, it offers
food stamp eligibility and accounting by department, two clerk totals (clerk accountability), quantity extension (multiplication),
split pricing, checks tendered, tax eligibility and accounting by department, and ability
to run automatic coin dispensers. The T-2500
interfaces with an electric produce scale
which is accurately calculated to one-hundredth of a pound and displayed on the register. The price is computed, displayed and
printed on the customer receipt tape along
with the actual weight and the price per
pound.
MICROCOMPUTER SERIAL PRINTER
A new low cost, 120 cps dot matrix serial
printer that features a microprocessor and
digital control printer/head advancement is
available from Tally Corp.
cI
PO BOX 1167, -CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
Designated the Series 1000, the new 132
column, multicopy desk unit is designed for
use with microcomputers, minicomputers, minibased business systems, data entry systems,
intelligent terminals and remote batch terminals. First in a line of serial printers
is the 120 cps Model 1120 which features a
new needle printing technique, the microprocessor, cartridge ribbon, and tractor engagement above and below the print line.
The Model 1120 prints an original plus
four carbon copies and handles form widths
from 4 to 15 inches. Specifications include
six lines per inch line spacing, ten characters per inch character spacing, a 64 character USASCII character set and a 9 x 7
half-space matrix character.
The printer offers a wide selection of
interface controllers for data communications
applications, for direct plug compatibility
with popular minicomputers and for emulation
of other printers.
Unit prices for the printer start at
$2,575. Substantial OEM discounts are available. Evaluation units will be available
during the third quarter of 1975, with production deliveries beginning in 'the fourth
quarter.
NEW VERSION OF MODEL 340 TERMINAL
Sycor, Inc. has introduced a new version
of its Model 340 intelligent terminal, with
an ECMA/ANSI-compatible cassette recorder,
designed primarily to interface with small
business computers.
The Model 340-E is functionally the same
as the Model 340 terminal, incorporating a
microprocessor, CRT and typewriter-like keyboard. Options include a flexible disc recorder, four speeds of printers, three magnetic tape drives, card readers and both
asynchronous (110-1200 bps) and binary synchronous (1200-4800 bps) communications.
The terminal features a read-after-write
head, 2K 80-character data capacity and may
write on both sides of the tape cassette.
The Model 340-E is priced at $216 per
month on a one-year lease and $184 per month
on a two-year lease. The purchase price is
$7800. Deliveries are expected in the fourth
quarter of 1975.
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Ap'Jlications Technicar Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
10
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
INTELLIGENT FLOPPY DISC
IMS Associates, Inc. has introduced the
fir9t Intelligent Disc, the IMSAI 108, which
i,ncorporates five interacting Intel 8080 microcomputers in a distributed network. The
disc system is intended to remove the load of
data-base access functions from the user's
cpu.
The 108 system is currently available in
54 megabyte (single spindle) or 108 megabyte
(dual spindle) configurations. It can be
connected to mUltiple CPUs and/or terminals
with RS232C communications interfaces, I/O
bus parallel interfaces or by direct memory
access.
The controller's 450 ns cache memory is
expandable from 16K to 128K bytes. The disc
uses standard IBM type discs, has a transfer
rate of 806 kilobytes per second, and a maximum track-to-track access time of 6 ms.
:he data-base management system, which
resldes in the 108 controller, enables the
user's CPUs and intelligent terminals to deal
with symbolically named files, records and
~ields • . Despite the protocol imposed by most
lnformatlon storage and retrieval applications, only host commands and specified data
fields will pass between the host cpu and
~he IMSAI controller.
All indexing, searchlng and deblocking operations are performed
by the controller and an RS232C interface
can be used to connect any CPU or intelligent terminal to the IMSAI 108.
The IMSAI 108 is priced at $29,500 in the
single spindle configuration. Deliveries
are 90 days ARO; OEM quantities will be considered.
PRo-LOG SUPPORTING
M6800 &F8
Pro-Log has announced they are now fully
supporting the M6800 and will support the F8
microprocessor by December.
The basic 6800 CPU card (8611) provides
full buffering for the address, data and control busses, clocks and power-on, and external reset. The 6800 microcomputer card is
essentially pin-compatible with Pro-Log's
8008 and 8080 CPU cards. All CPU cards oper~te with Pro-Log's line of RAM, ROM, I/O and
lnterface cards.
clcI;
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
In addition to offering the CPU cards separately, Pro-Log is also offering the 6800
card in a 3- and 5-card system. A minimum
system consisting of a 6800 CPU card, ROM/
RAM and 8113 I/O card sells for $650.
The M823 System Analyzer for the 6800
f~atures clip-on testers for program debugglng and system analysis. The tester is a
self-contained, fully buffered unit and does
not interfere with system operations. The
M823 is priced at $750.
~C-CONTROLLED
WIRING ANALYZER
Algorithm Technology, Inc. manufacturers
of high-speed bare circuit board testers ,
announces the introduction of a new highspeed microcomputer controlled wiring analyzer for back plane panels, card racks, cables
and harnesses, and other wired assemblies
expandable in 64 node increments.
'
The test system is fast and can completely
test a circuit board and provide GO/NO GO indications of good or bad assemblies in less
than one second for a 50,000 point back panel
or other wired unit. Programming takes approximately ten seconds for a 50,000 point
assembly when using a known good unit and entering a developed program number into thumbwheel switches. The system can be programmed
from an optional cassette or from other external sources. GO/NO GO programming can be
done using the program number only. A listing of errors is available at the rate of one
to forty errors per second depending on the
optional printer selected. A known good unit
or the cassette input is required.
A 1024 node system is priced at $13,120
and does not include the printer or cassettes.
Delivery is 90 to 120 days.
CORRECTION
An error was made on Microkit Inc. 's telephone number in the August issue. The correct
number is (213) 828-1722. Microkit manufactures a universal microcomputer development
system for 8- and 16-bit microprocessors.
(4081247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$~8.0Q ~er ye~r, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH
. Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
'
MEMORIES/PERIPHERALS:
FPLA PROGRAMMER
Now
6800 RELOCATABLE MACROASSEMBLER
AVAILABLE
Data I/O's newest product is the Model X
Field Programmable Logic Array Programmer.
Scheduled for introduction in the third quarter of 1975, the Model X will be capable of
programming all Field Programmable Logic Arrays (FPLA) as they are developed. Data I/O
has been working closely with several semiconductor manufacturers to insure compatibility with their FPLAs.
Features of the Model X Programmer include
processor control, CRT display and ease of
operator programming. The programmer will
perform not only an array verification of the
part after programming, but also a logical
verification of the part to insure that it is
programmed properly. Inputs can be accepted
from a previously programmed FPLA, a keyboard
entry, paper tape, and mark sense card readers.
The price of the Model X programmer is
presently set at $8,000. Data I/O also manufacturers PROM programmers to fit all levels
of programming from the basic engineering
level up to and including full production.
Their entire family can be seen at WESCON.
FLEXIBLE DISC SYSTEM FOR MICROPAC
iCOM, Inc. is now in production on a flexible disc system for the PCS MicroPac 80A.
The iCOM FD360 plugs directly into a standard PCS PM-5001 I/O assembly. The system
includes all required interconnecting ribbon
cables.
In addition to being hardware compatible
with the MicroPac 80A, the FD360 is fully
supported by a complete FDOS (Floppy Disc
Operating System), contained on a compact
diskette for improved program development.
FDOS contains such single command operations
as disc-to-disc program editing and assembling; disc-to-memory program loading; named
files; disc-to-paper tape; paper tape-todisc and disc-to-disc file transferring.
FD360 prices start at $2400 for a single
disc drive system including all software and
interfacing to the PCS MicroPac 80A. Delivery is 3 to 4 weeks ARO.
cI
PO BOX 1167,-CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
11
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
American Microsystems, Inc. hqs announced
a new relocatable macroas~embler for their
S6800 microprocessor. The program features
a linkage loader allowing locations for symbols to be assigned after the program has
been fully debugged. This allows the user
the flexibility to assemble only sections of
his programs at a time instead of the entire
program.
Final documentation for the program is
currently being prepared, however, the software is up, running and available on National
CSS timeshare services. The program, written
in FORTRAN, can also be purchased for $1200.
The assembler version was written in 360
assembly language for low-cost and high-speed
assembly processing.
Low
COST CMOS STATIC RAM
Intel Corp. has introduced the P5101-8 lK
(256 x 4) silicon-gate CMOS RAM priced at
$10.20 in 100 to 999 quantities.
The P5101 features a maximum standby current of 50 nA per bit and a worst-case access
time of 850 ns. The RAM is completely static
and chip enable clocking is not required during address transitions. It can be placed
into the low power standby mode by applying
a logic low level to the second chip enable
input. Also, it operates on a single +5V
power supply. The 22-pin provides four data
inputs, four tri-state data outputs with an
output disable control, two chip-enable inputs, read/write control and address inputs.
The output configuration allows the P5101 to
operate on either separate memory system I/O
busses or on a common I/O bus without bidirectional bus logic.
FAIRCHILD SHIPPING 4K RAMs
Fairchild's Integrated Circuits Group has
announced it is shipping production quantities of a 4096-bit N-channel dynamic RAM
memory circuit having an access time of 250
ns.
The memory, designated as the 4096, utilizes single transistor memory cell and sili(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LI LLiAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Apolications Technicar Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
12
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
Volume 2, Number 3/ September, 1975
con nitride capacitor technology. Two versions are available: 40963 (250 ns time) and
40964 (300 ns time). Both parts are packaged
in a 16-pin ceramic DIP and are fully TTL
compatible. Power dissipation is specified
at 250 mW; typical active access power is
120 mW.
A unique method of address multiplexing
and latching allows the use of the 16-pin
standard package rather than the alternate
22-pin design available from other suppliers.
This results in an 80% increase in packaging
density on memory boards.
The 40963 and 40964 are available from
stock and pricing for 100 to 999 quantities
is $23 and $17.50 respectively.
Typical access time is 45 ns, input current is 250 uA maximum for both. Maximum
read and write cycle times are 70 ns for the
commercial devices and 75 ns for the military
parts. Both are compatible with other DTL
and TTL logic circuits and contain on-chip
address decoding and chip select capability
to facilitate incorporation into larger memory arrays.
Both devices are available in CERDIP packages in commercial and military temperature
ranges. Prices in 100 to 999 quantities are
$22 for the commercial version and $61.60
for the military.
pC
A computer-controlled test system for microprocessors and other complex digital logic
circuits on PC boards has been announced by
Instrumentation Engineering Inc.
The Model 103 incorporates a two-family
Digital Word Generator/Receiver (DWG/R) which
enables the user to test as many as four different levels of logic simultaneously.
The DWG/R contains bidirectional pins so
that it can test bidirectional busses on microprocessor PC cards in real time, as well
as test associated RAMs, ROMs, shift registers, and the CPU. It can also be programmed
for static and functional testing at rates up
to 20 MHz. As with other stimulus and measurement devices used with the Model 103, the
DWG/R does not require special adapter boards
or patch panels for interfacing with the circuit board under test. Regardless of which
pins are designated as inputs or outputs on
the unit-under-test, all variations can be
handled through program control.
An interactive software package completely
supports program preparation and data handling.
Rapid fault isolation for component or
production process failure is accomplished
by a computer-directed, multipoint, buffered
IC probe.
TAPE STORAGE SYSTEM
Qantex has introduced the Model 2200 Tape
Storage System which is compatible with the
Intel 8080 microcomputer.
The ANSI-compatible system utilizes the
3M data cartridge as well as the Qantex 600
tape drive which has a read/write speed of
30 ips, rewind speed of 90 ips and packing
density of 1600 bpi phase encoded.
The 2200 is available with either one or
two cartridge tape drives with storage capability of up to 5.76 million bytes for a dual
drive system. The drives are available with
1- 2- or 4-track read-after-write heads. Each
track is either computer or manually selectable.
The built-in ANSI-compatible tape formatter features 90 ips search, command chaining
to emulate a disc where no computer interrupt
is requested until the proper tape mark is
found, hardware CRCC and data phase encoding.
Prices start at $2,175 without computer
interface and $2,750 with interface. Delivery
is 30 days ARO.
NEW
1K
SCHOTTKY RAM
Intersil has introduced two new Schottky
TTL 1024 x 'I bit RAMs, the IM55S08 and IM55S18.
The IM55S08 provides an open-collector output
and the IM55S18 has a tri-state output.
The IM55S08 is equivalent to the N82S08;
both RAMs are replacements for the (nonSchottky) 93415.
cliI~
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
MICROPROCESSOR TEST SYSTEM
TIMER~ COUNTER
&GENERATOR
Intersil is introducing a new family of
monolithic programmable counter-timers, the
8240, 8250 and 8260, whi~h can generate ac-
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.0~ per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
13
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
curate, externally settable time delays from
microseconds to five days. The circuits will
also count external pulses, and can be used
as frequency generators, putting out 99 or
256 selectable frequencies.
Each device in the family consists of an
accurate low-drift oscillator, a counter section of master-slave flip flops and appropriate logic and control circuitry. The counter's output taps are open-collector transistors and additional logic circuitry will allow timing to be programmed by a microcomputer.
All timers are available in 16-pin plastic
DIP packages, and operate from 00 to +70 0 C.
Prices in 100 to 999 quantities for the 8260
are $3.50, for the 8250--$4.00 and for the
8240-$3.25.
PEOPLE, LITERATURE AND EVENTS:
SRI To STUDY INDUSTRIAL ~C
Stanford Research Institute's Artificial
Intelligence Center has received a two-year
grant of $500,000 from the National Science
Foundation for continuation of research in
computerized automation.
The research, headed by staff scientist
Charles A. Rosen, has as its ultimate objective, computer-controlled inspection, material handling and assembly line systems for
industry. Under the project, researchers
have assembled a laboratory test-bed for
studying the practical problems of applying
programmable automation to industry.
Rosen told MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST that the
test-bed will, for the time being, consist
of a distributed network using DEC's LSI-II
microcomputer to reduce the central processor's (PDP 11/40) workload. Rosen said that
SRI selected the system since it requires
less software and could easily perform all
distributed intelligence computation.
WYLE GAINS INTEL
pC
FRANCHISE
Intel Corp. has announced the appointment
of the Wyle Distribution Group as an additional franchised distributor of microcomputer and memory components in five locations:
Liberty Electronics, El Segundo CA; Elmar
cit!;
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
Electronics, Mountain View CA; Liberty, San
Diego CA; Elmar, Denver CO; and Liberty,
Phoenix AZ.
The Wyle Distribution Group has added Intel's full line of development systems and
Data I/O's PROM programmer at their microcomputer centers in El Segundo and Mountain
View, CA.
COMPUTER PRINTER ANALYSIS
A comprehensive, 1000 page analysis and
evaluation of computer printers was put on
the market in July by S. P. Davis and Co.
The report is designed both as a buyer's
guide and an analysis of the printer field.
It identifies 96 OEM manufacturers of printers, characteristics of 298 systems, and also compares characteristics as they pertain
to applications, according to Tom Tracy,
vice president of S. P. Davis.
"The report," explained Tracy, "was prepared for a client with a specific product
planning requirement. From that base it was
expanded into a complete tutorial and analysis of the total printer market. In its expanded form it will be sold at $495 per copy .'~
The report evaluates all types of impact
and non-impact printers by type, printing
technique, process and operation format.
Features compared include multiple copies,
speed, paper feed, inking systems, buffers,
interfaces, price, reliability, field service
costs, supply expenses, human factors engineering and environmental conditions.
EUROPEAN
pC
STUDY AVAILABLE
Microcomputer usage in Europe, at a $10
million level in 1974, will explode 60-fold
to become a $600 million market by 1984, according to a new study by Frost & Sullivan.
Cumulative shipments over the decade will
tally $2.5 billion. Of that total, microprocessor components will account for $1 billion; memories for $850 million with ROM memories at 29%, RAM memories at 71%; I/O interfaces for $550 million; and other ancillary
circuits for $75 million.
The two-volume, 622-page study broke the
accumulative ten year total into the follow(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLiAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
14
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
ing markets: industrial control-$720 million;
lab equipment--$183 million; data collection
entry and communications~nearly $1 billion;
and transportation, building, environmental
control and word processing-$350 million.
The microcomputer market is currently dominated by the U.S., but the first European
and Japanese units are now becoming available.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
JAMES D. BOWEN and GEORGE D. WELLS have
been elected vice-presidents of Fairchild
Camera and Instrument Corp.
DAVID A. ARMSTRONG and TED L. NICHOLS have
joined General Automation as manager of microcomputer marketing and manager of peripheral
product marketing, respectively.
Mits Inc. has opened two new regional
sales offices to service the Western and
Southeastern regions of the U.S. BILL GRAY
is the newly-appointed regional manager on
the West Coast and ED CURRIE will head the
Southeastern office.
ROBERT B. PALMER will head Mostek's newly.formed Computer Products Group as vice-president. He had previously been vice-president
of engineering.
FRED W. HORNE, microprocessor and memory
systems specialist for National Semiconductor
in the southcentral area states has been promoted to sales manager, reporting to KEITH
KOLERUS, area manager.
JOHN SCHULER has joined Pro-Log Corp. as
southern regional sales manager.
As a result of Rockwell's reorganization,
CHARLES V. KOVAC will run the Microelectronic
Device division as vice-president and general
manager.
ROBERT ANGUS and R. JOSEPH KRAUS have been
named as area sales managers for Zentec's
line of microcomput~r-based intelligent programmable terminals.
RECENT LITERATURE
"Microprocessors"
Edited by Laurence Altman
Electronics Book Series 1975
In the absence of text books describing
the use of the newest microprocessors, the editors of Electronics magazine have attempted
cI~;
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
to fill the gap by reprinting, in one volume,
over 40 of their most recent uC articles. The
book is broken down into four general categories: device technology, microprocessor design, applications, and a special news roundup.
Most of the articles in the book have previously been reviewed by MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST, however, reading the book was enjoyable,
educational and provided an excellent journey
back through time to when the first microcomputer was introduced.
"
Ten separate microprocessors are described,
tracing uC history from the 4-bit machine to
the monolithic l6-bit chip. Full length features depict how to work with micros, possible special techniques and many applications. For $8.95 the book is an absolute
must.
"Microcomputers: Fundamentals and Applications"
Edited by G. Cain
Miniconsult Ltd. 1975
The material for this book was assembled
from the lecture notes presented at a special
course given in London in late 1974 and published in 1975.
Basic definitions and general characteristics of uP are followed by an extensive uP
survey providing valuable insight and commentary on the present state of commercial uP
production. Hardware and software aspects
are highlighted and general observations on
overall system design, implementation and
self-testing considerations are then followed
by several application examples where uCs
have been employed to advantage. Finally,
useful background information on design fundamentals of logic circuitry in included.
"How to Pick a Microprocessor, or a Mini or
Anything in Between"
David N. Kaye, Sr. Western Editor
Electronic Design 16 August 2, 1975
This article is a light discussion on uC
selection criteria with quotes from 30 top industry sources to focus on the most critical
variables. No clear-cut formulae for choosing micros is presented, however, designers
are given direction for that time when they
will be ordered to incorporate a uC into the
company's next mousetrap.
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA l. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
15
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
Volume 2, Number 3/ September, 1975
EDUCATION:
MICROCOMPUTER COURSES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES.
Date, title, cost, location, sponsoring organization (addresses on page 17).
September
29- 1
International Electrical, Electronics
Conference and Exposition $~0-$50
Toronto Onto IEEE
30- 2
Hands-On Microprocessor Design Course
$300 Northern New Jersey PrO-Log
30- 2
M6800 Microprocessor Course $430
Lincoln NE Motorola M6800 Course
October
1
PROM Programming--A Systems Approach
Free San Jose CA Data I/O Corp.
1- 2
M6800 Support Hardware
Motorola M6800 ~ourse
1- 3
How To Design With Microprocessors
$395 Irvine CA Microcomputer Technique Inc.
2- 3
5- 8
Software Development & Applications
Techniques for Microcomputers b150
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Systems
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16
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
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MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
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DIGITAL CONTROLS IN PROCESS INDUSTRY
The process industries ' expenditures on digital controls will increase from $245 million
in 1973 to $404 million by 1977 and to $845
million by 1983, according to a new study by
market research specialists, Frost & Sullivan,
Inc.
The microprocessor itself will realize an
increase in the digital control marketplace
from less that 1% of total expenditures in
1973 to 31% of- the total by 1983 at $260 million. It is a harbinger of lower prices and
greatly expanded applications.
Use of direct digital controls will expand
and the process industries will increase their
expenditures by 245% over the next 10 years.
The rubber and plastics industry will show
the greatest overall growth at 290%; the chemical industry will be next at 280%. Export
sales will grow by some 255% on average, and
to regions other than the industrialized countries, they will grow by 500% over the decade.
(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLiAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
Programmable logic controllers will have
a relatively modest, but steadily growing
market. The report also stated that microcomputer-based controllers using distributedcontrol networks, promise substantial savings
in installation costs of control systems. One
major oil company is claimihg a 30% reduction
in initial cost over that of an analog counterpart.
Further information on the l83-page study
(Reference Report #344) can be obtained by
contacting Frost and Sullivan.
MICROCOMPUTER SPOTLIGHT:
EUROPEAN MICROPROCESSOR ACTIVITIES
Microcomputer Spotlight is a new department highlighting, each month, one aspect of
the industry. This month, a series of articles survey the European microprocessor acti vity country by country. The articles have
been extracted and reprinte~ with permission
from Euromicro. Euromicro is a quarterly
European newsletter devoted to serving the
microprogramming and microprocessor segments
in Europe.
ITALY
By MARIAGIOVANNA SAMI
SGS-Ates has recently announced that it is
participating with AEG-Telefunken and General
Instruments Microelectronics in the implementation of MaS-LSI microprocessors to be assembled by Olympia, the German business machine manufacturer.
Until now, studies in the universities
have been limited mostly to surveys of the
existing microprocessors or to their didactical potential. Application work has been
done by students at the graduate level (for
instance, at the Polytechnic Schools of Turin
and Milan). At the University of Bologna,
interest centers on the use of microprocessors in systems such as the "mininet" sponsored by the Polytechnic of Central London.
More precise research is presently in the
course of definition.
Several Italian industries, operating in
various fields, are concerned with the possible applications of microprocessors. Here
18
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
some indicative instances are recalled. Olivetti inserts microprocessors in its new
series of intelligent terminals and business
machines. FIAT is investigating the use of
microprocessors for control systems involving the motor's carburation and the vehicle's
motion. It is also looking to employ microprocessors at data acquisition points on its
assembly lines.
Particular interest is shown by the telecommunication lndustries. While SIT-Siemens
considers the use of microprocessors for
samll electronic telephone switching centers,
Telettra is concerned with their application
to the control of highly reliable telecommunication systems. In this last context,
the existing microprocessors are not considered satisfying, particularly from the point
of view of reliability, and "ad hoc" systems
(with diagnostic programs stored in PROMs)
are proposed. This same approach--of defining the specifications of microprocessors
for well-defined applications--is taken by
some engineering firms (as Techint) working
in the field of industrial control. Here,
microprocessors are used as non-standard manmachine interfaces and factory terminals;
attempt is made to distribute the control
over the whole controlled system rather than
concentrating it in the central computer. A
very particular dedicated system using an array of microprocessors is the one developed
by Elettronica San Giorgio for high-speed
mail address recognition.
GERMANY
By LUTZ RICHTER
There is a diversity of activities within
the field of microprocessing in Germany. Although most of the reported work herein seems
to be done at the universities, there is at
least a comparable effort being spent at the
industrial level.
University of Bochum:
Three different activities are grouped
around microprocessors, their software and
their applications. Microprocessors are being used to realize data traffic controllers
by means of centralized multiplexed I/O control systems. Suitable microprocessors and
control programs are expected.
Within the field of real-time applications
cI~; PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 • (408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
19
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
and process control, some investigations are
being conducted to develop dedicated systems
with a single custom microprocessor and the
necessary programs to serve a specific application.
As most of today's "available microprocessors lack complete software support, there is
a considerable demand for such program support tools. Several software modules for the
Intel 8080 have been developed and current
research is concerned with the implementation
of compilers for problem oriented languages
for microcomputers.
Technical University of Munchen:
There is a widespread area of different
activities at this university. It ranges
from the usage of Intel 8008 microcomputers
for controlling display units via applications within the field of artificial intelligence and process control up to hierarchically ordered multiprocessor systems. Most
of these reports are concerned with investigations that have already been completed.
Microcomputers are also constructed in a
modular fashion using Intel 8008, 8080 and
3000 chips. One such application has been
concerned with the development of suitable
interfaces for microprocessors and storage
units via bus structures.
Another ongoing research is related to associative control memories. Continuing investigations are looking at the increase of
parallelism of address and data between a
fast cache and a pipeline organization. Special effort will also be spent on considering
program branches as bypass action.
Nuclear Research At Karlsruhe:
The department of data processing service
and instrumentation at this Nuclear Research
Center uses Intel 8008 microcomputers to im"plement automatic chemical analysis procedures for the regeneration of nuclear fuel
material. Multi level priority controlled
interrupt structures are implemented to support these applications.
University of Karlshruhe:
A computer organization design using a
microprocessor with associative control store
is being developed. Special features include
hardware-implemented primitives for scheduling algorithm implementations. The processor
has been simulated and its efficiency in
cI
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 3 / September, 1975
scheduling applications is at least one order
of magnitude better than that of softwareimplemented conventional schedulers.
The Intellec-8 will be used as a tool for
designing reliable multi-microprocessor systems where microprocessors will mutually
check each other.
Although the foregoing description gives
a rather small selection of microprocessor
activities in Germany, it should show the
wide spectrum of current research interests.
BELGIUM
By ANDRE A. S. DANTHINE
INSTITUT D'INFORMATIQUE-NAMUR
Microprocessor Design
The most important project is EPRON (Experimental PROcessor Namur). This processor is
designed to support effective interaction
bewteen software and firmware. Its hardware
mechanism allows FETCH/GENERATOR mini-instructions features. In this way, a macroassembler supported by firmware substitutes
micro-procedures call to code expansion in
software. EPRON is not yet a "silicon" microprocessor. It is beyond a "paper" processor and has recently completed "simulation.
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS DIVISION
Microprocessor Utilization
In 1973, an Intel MCS-4 microprocessor
was used for a Direct Digital Control unit
of a heat exchanger pilot plant.
In 1974, an EKG-preprocessor for highcare patients was developed based on an Intel MCS-8 microcomputer. The microcomputer
analyzes the EKG waveform and detects the Pwave, the heart rate, trends of this rate,
fibrillation, and transitions of pre-set
limits. Eight systems were installed by the
end of 1974 in the St. Raphael Hospital at
Leuven.
Microprocessor Design
A project is now under study for realization of a send-receive preprocessor for coding and decoding transmitted data. The preprocessor will be coupled to normal digital
computers and will have to transmit blocks
of words at DMA speeds. The main problem is
related to the speed of the preprocessor
(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. Lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARRELL D. CROW, Editor; LILLIAN LAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA l. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY LEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
20
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
which will be studied in cooperation with the
laboratory for solid state electronics and
the laboratory of hybrid circuits of the
University.
RIJKSUNIVERSITEIR-GENT
ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRIC MEASUREMENTS LAB
Microprocessor Utilization
An Intel MCS-8 microcomputer has been used
as the controller of a serial ASCII-oriented
instrumentation bus system.
A project is soon to be started to develop
an MCS-8 controlled text editing system with
a magnetic tape cassette recorder and an
electric typewriter.
UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN
LABORATOIRE DE MICROELECTRONIQUE
Microprocessor Utilization
For the development of an optical data
entry system, a microcomputer is under consideration for the pattern recognition aspect.
UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BURXELLES
LABORATOIRE D'AUTOMATIQUE
Microprocessor Utilization
The application of microcomputers is in
the field of automatic control systems with
special emphasis placed on Digital Differential Analyser.
SPAIN
By DR. J. PERACAULA
The activity in the microcomputer field
began two years ago and has since grown quite
rapidly. An estimated 15 to 20 universities
and private and public companies are now engaged in microcomputer technology with a
larger number of other companies planning to
enter the field.
At this point it has been impossible to
assemble a complete list of centers involved.
Thus the following should be taken as indicative of the type of work being done in Spain.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH CENTERS
At the University of Santander, Department of Electronics, work is being done using Intel's MCS-4. The Automatic Control
Laboratory at the Technical High School of
Engineering of Sevilla and the Department of
Electronics of the University at Sevilla also report developments using the same microcomputer.
In Madrid, at the Instituto de Automatica,
cI~~
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
industrial work is being done on Direct Digital Control using Intel's 8080 and 8008. Development is also underway at different technical high schools of engineering at the
Politechnica University. At the Junta de
Energia, nuclear work is being done using a
National IMP-16.
In Barcelona, work was pioneered in 1973
with a SIM-8 at the Automatic Control Laboratory of Industrial Engineering High School
at the Politechnical University. At the
Electronics Laboratory of this center, emulators of 8080 and 4004 have been developed on
a NOVA 1220, and a Power Integrator module
using a 4004 is underway.
Work on microcomputers is also currently
in progress at the High School of Telecommunications Logic Laboratory at the same university. A joint research effort involving
the Electronic and Logic Laboratories deal
with efficient algorithms for Boolean function implementation using microprocessors.
PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL CENTERS
Two years ago, EYSSA, a traffic control
and automation company, used an Intel 8008
microcomputer in a data acquisition project.
Since then, several companies have started
using microcomputers, among which we have
knowledge of the following: ENHER (electrical
utility), MOBBA (industrial scales), TEAM
(process-control-automation), ITT Research
Laboratory (communications), IKASLAN (engineering for telecontrol), TELESCI NCRO (computer manufacturer), and DISTESA (teaching
equipment manufacturer).
Finally, we would like to mention that
this report was not intended to be a complete
summary on the state-of-the-art of microcomputer developments in Spain due mainly to
the lack of exhaustive information concerning microcomputer activities there.
SWEDEN
By H. LAWSON, JR.
At the Royal Institute of Technology in
Stockholm (S-IOO 44 Stockholm 70, Sweden)
the following two projects concerning microcomputers are in progress.
An Intel 8008 microcomputer has been installed in a Tektronix 4010 display. The
microcomputer controls communications and
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLiAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
21
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
graphics with a DEC PDP-lO remote computer.
The second project concerns program systems for developing software utilizing the
Intel microcomputers. Assemblers and simulators, running on PDP-II, have been developed
for the 4004 (assembler only), 8008 and the
8080. Repo~ts on the project are:
o TR 72: Program development on a PDP-II
system for the Intel 8008 and 4004 microcomputers.
o TR 83: SIM08 and SIM08 User's Guide.
Two interactive microcomputers on a
PDP-II simulating Intel's 8008 and
8080.
The reports can be obtained from Staffan
Westbeck, Department of Telecommunication.
THE NETHERLANDS
By J. WILMINK
The Technological University of Eindhoven
has researched several microprocessor applications. All the software and hardware products mentioned here have been developed
around the Intel 8008 microprocessor and are
currently available.
Software support consists of a cross assembler on the IBM 360 and a simulator written in PL-l. For the 8008, a complete set
of double precision floating point routines
have been written. There is also a software
library with many application programs, such
as for traffic control.
The 8008 hardware has been designed in a
modular system using Eurocards (100 x 160 mm).
Adaptation of an 8080 or another microprocessor to the system is relatively simple.
A universal traffic controller and a 128
channel I/O multiplexer has also been built
by the university.
The Technologlcal University of Delft is
also using microcomputers, the first system
being a desk calculator based on Intel's
8008. Other applications use Intel's SIM-8
cards. For example, a braille editor was
designed to translate data in ASCII code to
braille code. The system provides for many
options to correct the code in final braille
text.
Additional applications include a telex
terminal to send measured data automatically
to a host computer, a display unit (Mini Bee)
cI
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
coupling to a CDC-STAR computer and an offline text editor. Also under development is
a modular system using the 8080. The system
contains CPU cards, PROM and RAM memory
cards, and I/O cards. The cards are Eurocards with a 72 pin connector.
The Technological University de Twente is
devoted more to microprocessors and microprogrammed designed from an architectural
point of view than to microprocessor applications. Much attention has been given to
structured design. The description and simulation techniques use APL as a design language.
A description of Intel's 8080 in APL,
which is under simulation in an interactive
way, is nearly completed. A simple text editing system around the 8080 is also in development.
Among the other universities, the work
done at the medical faculty of the Erasmus
University of Rotterdam includes implementation of SIM-8 microcomputer boards in a specimen distribution system, a system to handle
data from analyzing devices, automatic sorting of specimen, and automatic labelling.
The Dutch PIT is paying particular attention to microprocessors in their research
and development lab at Leidschendam. A terminal system has been built around the Intellec-8 system and an interface card to the
PDP 8-E memory has been developed.
Within Philips, the Industrial Data Processing System Department of PIT Eindhoven
has delivered a microcomputer control system,
built arount the 8008. It has a modular combination of RAMs, ROMs, and PROMs and contains cards for a CPU, a variety of memories,
input, interrupt option, display and an IEC
bus card.
Software support includes utility programs
cross assemblers for Philips computers, test
programs, standard arithmetic routines, and
interrupt handlers. An update of the system
using the 8080 is in preparation.
The company is also considering the use of
Intel's 8008 or 8080 microcomputers for inhouse telephone installation. Attention is
also being paid to the application of specialized microprocessors in line controllers for
communication purposes.
(cont'd next page)
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLlAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
22
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
Philips Computer Industrie in Apeldoorn is
using Intel's 4004 and 8008 in their synchronous data communication products.
In process control, Hoogovens is using
Intel 8008s in simple applications for measurement devices. The idea here is to use
microcomputers if the problem is too simple
for a PDP 8 computer, but too complex to use
hardwired logic. Normally the microcomputer
operates on one fixed program and is built
into the measurement device.
Volume 2, Number 3/ September, 1975
Intersil, 10900 N Tantau Ave, Cupertino CA
95014 (408) 257-5450
Microcomputer Associates Inc., 10440 N Tantau
Ave, Cupertino CA 95014 (408) 247-8940
Microcomputer Technique, 11227 Handlebar Rd,
Reston VA 22091 (703) 620-9676
Microkit Inc., 2180 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica CA 90404 (213) 828-1722
COMPANY ADDRESSES FOR THIS ISSUE:
National Semicondcutor Corp., 2900 Semiconductor Dr, Santa Clara CA 95051 (408) 7325000
A H Systems Inc., 9710 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth CA 91311 (213) 998-0223
NEC Microcomputers Inc., 5 Militia Dr, Lexington MA 02173 )617) 862-0410
AIlE Publication Sales, 25 Technology Park,
Norcross, GA 30071 (404) 449-0460
Panafacom Ltd, 10-16, Jiyugaoda 2-chome,
Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (03) 718-3351
Algorithm Technology Inc., PO Box 1910, Prescott AZ 86301 (602) 445-8180
PrO-Log Corp., 852 Airport Rd, Monterey CA
93940 (408) 372-4593
American Microsystems Inc., 3800 Homestead
Rd, Santa Clara CA 95051 (408) 246-0330
Qantex, 200 Terminal Dr, Plainview NY 11803
(516) 681-8350
Ramtek Corp., 292 Commercial St, Sunnyvale
CA 94086 (408) 735-8400
Cramer Electronics, 29 Oser Ave, Hauppauge
NY 11787 (516) 231-5600
Rockwell International, 3370 Miraloma Ave,
Anaheim CA 92803 (213) 647-5000
Data I/O Corp., 990 E Arques, Suite 106,
Sunnyvale CA 94086 (408) 732-8246
Dedicated Computer Systems, 750 Westmount Rd
W, Kitchener, ant N2M IS3 (519) 576-3808
S. P. Davis & Co., PO Box 1469, Los Altos
CA 94022 (415) 941-3482
Stanford Research Institute, 333 Ravenswood
Ave, Menlo Park CA 94025 (415) 326-6200
Fairchild Integrated Circuits Group, 464
Ellis St, Mountain View CA 94042 (415)
962-3816
Sycor Inc., 100 Phoenix Dr, Ann Arbor MI
48104 (313) 971-0900
Frost & Sullivan Inc., 106 Fulton St, New
York NY 10038 (212) 233-1080
Tally Corp., 8301 S 180 St, Kent WA 98031
(206) 251-5643
General Instruments, 600 W John St, Hicksville NY 11802 (516) 733-3333
Wintek Inc., 902 N 9 St, Lafayette IN 47904
(317) 742-6802
Iasis Inc., 770 Welch Rd, Suite 154, Palo
Alto CA 94304 (415) 329-0110
Wyle Distributing Group, Elmar Electronics,
2288G Charleston, Mountain View CA 94040
(415) 961-3611
IMS Associates Inc., 1922 Republic Ave, San
Leandro CA 94577 (415) 483-2093
Instrumentation Engineering Inc., 769 Susquehanna Ave, Franklin Lakes NJ 07417 (201)
891-9300
Intel Corp., 3065 Bowers Ave, Santa Clara CA
95051 (408) 246-7501
MICROCOMPUTER STUDIES AVAILABLE:
EDN Microprocessor Design Series $6.96
Microprocessor Reprints, EDN Magazine, 221
Columbus Ave, Boxton MA 02116
Microcomputer Digest
cI
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
$28
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLiAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
23
MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
Microprocessors: Economics/Technology/Applications Arthur D. Little Inc., 25 Acorn Pk,
Cambridge MA 02140 (617) 864-5770
Microprocessors, Electronics Book Series
$8.95 McGraw-Hill Publications Co., 1221
Ave of the Americas, New York NY 10020
Microprocessor Field Survey G Data Book
$495 for first copy, $55 each additional
copy. A H Systems Inc., 9710 Cozycroft Ave,
Chatsworth CA 91311 (213) 998-0223
SYSTEMS APPROACH TO PROM PROGRAMMING: A free
monthly course designed to answer the hows
and whys of PROM programming and programming
equipment. Data I/O, 960 E Arques, Suite
106, Sunnyvale CA 94086 (408) 732-8246
MICRO SYSTEMS SOFTWARE, 335 W Olive #216,
Sunnyvale CA 94086 (408) 735-1650. George
Fraine, Richard Ware, uP system support programs (assemblers, simulators, etc.). Engineering applications programming for uC.
RIGHTS AVAILABLE to general purpose system
for debugging microprocessor-based hardware.
Also product development service. Arthur D.
Little Inc., Acorn Park, CambridgeMA 02140
Microprocessor Handbook $24.95 Texas Instruments, PO Box 5012, Dallas TX 75222
(214) 238-2011
Minicomputer G Microcomputer $595
Industrial Market For Microcomputers $445
Lucy Hendry, Frost G Sullivan Inc., 106 Fulton St, New York NY 10038 (212) 223-1080
New Com onents And Subsystems For Digital
Design
75 Technology Service Corp., 2811
Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90403 (213)
829-7411
Programmed Learning Course On Microcomputers
$99.50 Six Volume Set. Iasis Inc., 770
Welch Rd, Suite 154, Palo Alto CA 94304
Bob Warr (408) 329-0110
MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS/SERVICES:
EUROMICRO--The European Association for Microprocessing, quarterly newsletter covering
activities of interest in microprocessing.
Annual membership $7. Rodney Zaks, Chairman
Universite de Technologie Compiegne, BP233,
60206 Compiegne, France
MICROCOMPUTER-BASED ~ustom product development, hardware, software, production, publication available. Send for free price
list. Microcomputer Associates Inc., 10440
N Tantau Ave, Cupertino CA 95014
CUSTOM LSI, relieve the uP of the mundane
I/O problems while retaining system simplicity. Lincoln Semiconductor, 175 San Gabriel
Dr, Sunnyvale CA 94086 (408) 736-0550
MICROCOMPUTER SOFTWARE, specializing in resident assemblers, high-level languages and
applications for small uC systems. Sam Holland, 1114 Abby Wood Ct, Los Gatos CA 95030
PO BOX 1167, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 •
Volume 2, Number 31 September, 1975
MICROCOMPUTER EDUCATION
(from page 6)
amount of time is spent in describing instruction sets, programming techniques and software aids. As each instruction is described,
the student is shown how the microprocessor's
program counter, registers, accumulators,
ALU and status flags are affected. Students
are given several simple programming exercises to write, execute and debug in the lab.
National's lab is fully equipped with IMP-16
development systems, floppy disc, TTY and
software. One lab station is provided for
every two students.
On the last day, the course dealt primarily with microcomputer applications, selection criteria, design techniques, floating
point routines, higher level languages and
PROM programming. This course should be followed by National's application course, or
equivalent.
To make the most of your microprocessor
course, I suggest the following. Leave your
job and office behind until the course is
over and concentrate solely on the course.
Once you've begun to get a handle on things,
arrange an hour of 'solo' time on the development system. When first writing your sample programs, keep them small to insure sufficient time to step through and learn the
entire process of flowcharting, coding, assembling, editing, program executing and debugging. Once you know the process, you can
easily expand to lengthier programs. Above
all--keep you micro-monster smiling.
(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLiAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.
E17~
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Yes! Start sending me MICROCOMPUTER DIGEST
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(408) 247-8940
Copyright © 1975 by Microcomputer Associates Inc., All Rights Reserved. M.R. lemas, President. Published monthly. Subscription
$28.00 per year, overseas $40.00 per year. DARREll D. CROW, Editor; LI lLlAN lAU, Associate Editor; PATRICIA L. DREISBACH,
Circulation Editor; RAY HOLT, Applications Technical Advisor; MANNY lEMAS, Applications Technical Advisor.